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attributes /'stnbjuits/ n Characteristics that affect the visual representation of lines and polygons, e.g. line styles, rectangle colour, etc.

В

backing store /tekirj ,sto:/ и A storage device with a larger capacity but slower access time than the main memory. This type of memory is stable. It can be in the form of'hard disks, floppy disks, tapes or optical disks.



back-up /'ba^kAp/ n A copy of data or software, usually kept in case the original disk is damaged.

back up /'bsk 'лр/ v To copy files from one-disk to another.

batch processing /tetj prsosesirj/ n Л method of information processing in which transactions are prepared for input to the computer for processing as a single unit. There may be some delay between the occurrence of the original events and the processing of data. Compare with real time.

baud /bo:d/ n A unit for measuring the rate of data transmission. One baud = 1 bit per second. Named after Baudot, a pioneer of telegraphic communication.

binary digit /'Ьатэп .didyt/ и The smallest unit of information in the binary system, 0 or 1 . Also called bit.

binary system /'Ьатэп ,sist3m/ и А notation system in which the base for each digital position is 2. In this system numbers are represented by the two digits 0 and 1 . Thus the binary number 1 0 represents 2 in the decimal system, while 1 00 represents 4.

bit-mapped display /'bitmspt dis.plei/ n A display that stores pixel information in RAM memory cells.

boot /bu:t/ v To start up a computer.

bridge /bndj/ и A device used to connect groups of computers.

browser /'brauzg(r)/ и A program

designed to fetch and display Web pages on the Internet.

bug /Ьлд/ n An error in a program.

bulletin board /'bubtm ,bo:d/ n An online service that allows users to access and send information to other users quickly and easily. Any users who want to send or read messages dial up with their PC and modem combination to the central bulletin board system. Once connected they can share information anoS files using various facilities. Bulletin board systems (BBS) offer more than standard e-mail facilities in which messages are private.

bus /bAS/ n A channel, or highway, which carries signals between units in the CPU.



byte /bait/ n A unit of information which consists of a fixed number of bits (usually 1 byte — 8 bits). A byte can represent any value from 0 to 255. The sequence of bits in a byte represents an instruction, letter, number or any other character. Compare with kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte.

cathode ray tube (CRT) /,kie69ud 'rei tjuib/ n The picture tube of the display, which is made of glass and contains a vacuum. In a monochrome monitor, the electron beam scans the screen and turns on or off the pixels that make up the black-and-white image. In a colour monitor, the screen surface is coated with triads of red, green and blue phosphor. Three electron guns energize the phosphor dots, causing them to emit coloured light from which the picture is formed.

cell /sel/ n An intersection of a column and a row in a spreadsheet.

central processing unit (CPU) /.sentral 'prausesirj juaut/ n The 'brain' of the computer. Its function is to execute programs stored in the main memory by fetching their instructions, examining them and then executing them one after another. Its basic components are the control unit, the arithmetic logic unit and the registers. The CPU of a microcomputer is built into a single microprocessor chip.

character /'ksnkta(r)/ n A symbol available on the keyboard (letter, number or blank space).

chip /tjip/ n A tiny piece of silicon containing complex electronic circuits.

Chips are used to make the hardware components of a computer.



Chooser /'tju;zs(r)/ я A desk accessory supplied by Apple and used to select the printer you wish to use.

Clipart /'klipait/ я Images shipped with graphics packages.

Clipboard /klipboid/ n A holding place for text or graphics that you have just cut or copied.

coding /'kaudirj/ и The process of writing instructions for a computer.

colour palette /']сл1э .paelit/ n The collection of colours available in a system. Its size depends on the hardware.

command /ks'mamd/ n An order which the computer can obey. Synonymous with 'instruction'.

compact disk /kam'piekt .disk/ n A storage device which uses optical laser techniques and which provides mass storage capacity.

compatibility /kampreta'biliti/ n This is said to exist between two computers if programs can be run on both without any change; it also refers to those applications that are executed in specific types of computers; these applications are 'compatible' with the computer.

compiler /kam'pailafr)/ я A special program that converts a source program (written in a high-level language) into an object program (written in a lower-level language).

configuration /kan.figju'reijgn/ n The physical components of a computer system.

control unit (CU) /kan'traul jumit/ n A component of the CPU which coordinates all the other parts of the computer system. This unit is also responsible for fetching instructions from the main memory and determining their type.

co-processor /kguprausesgfr)/ я А silicon chip which performs precise tasks and mathematical operations very rapidly. Sometimes it is called the 'floating-point unit' or FPU.

crash /kraej/ 1 я A serious faUure which usually requires operator attention before the computer system can be restarted. 2 v When a hard disk system fails, it is said to have 'crashed'.

D

data /'delta/ n Information to be processed by a computer program. Data processing is the performing ol operations on data to obtain information or solutions to a problem.



database /'deitabeis/ n A file of structured

data.


database program /'deitabeis ргэидгэгт/ n An applications program used to store, organize and retrieve a large collection of data. Among other facilities, data can be searched, sorted and updated.

data communication system /.delta kg.mjurni'keifan .sistam/ и A computer system connected by telecommunications links (for data transmission).

data transfer rate /,deit3 tramsfa reit/ n The average speed required to transmit data from a disk system to the main memory Usually measured in megabits per second.

debug /di:'t)Ag/ v To correct program errors or 'bugs'.

debugger /dii'bAga/ n A tool which lets the user follow the execution of programs one statement at a time, in order to help find errors in the code.

default font /di'foilt .font/ n A font used by the system until another font is chosen from the menu.

desk accessory /,desk ak'sessn/ n A mini-application available on the Apple Menu. Examples: Calculator, Clock, Scrapbook.

desktop /'desktop/ n An area of work - the menu bar and other sections of the screen.

desktop publishing (DTP) /.desktop 'рлЬЬГщ/ я The use of a computer system for all steps of document production, including typing, editing, graphics and printing.

dialog box /'daialog ,boks/ n A message box requiring information from the user.

directory /,dai-, .di'rektsn/ n дп alphabetical or chronological list of the contents (files) of a disk. Also known as catalogue.

disk /disk/ n A storage device made of flat circular plates with magnetizable surfaces. Sec floppy, hard and optical disks.

disk drive /'disk draiv/ n The electronic mechanism that actually reads what is on a disk. If we are talking about hard disks, the disk and the drive are built into a single unit (hard disk = hard drive). If we are talking about floppies, the disk drive is the slot into which you insert a floppy disk.

dithering /'diSgnrj/ n The process of mixing two colours to produce an approximation to another colour. By using this shading technique, the human eye will blend the colours, increasing the apparent number of colours on the screen.

dot matrix /'dot ,ma3tnks/ n A regular pattern of dots; conventionally used to refer to dot-matrix printers which, instead of printing formed characters,

print an array of dots. There are two main types of dot-matrix printers: the 9-pin and the 24-pin. The two most important emulations for these printers are Epson and IBM Proprinter.



download /'daunlaud/ v To transfer a file from one computer to another over the telephone.

edit /'edit/ v To make changes and corrections to text and graphics. Well-known editing techniques are: 'select', 'undo', 'copy', 'cut' and 'paste' a portion of text.

electronic mail (e-mail) /.elektronik 'med/ n A facility which allows users to exchange messages electronically.

Here is a typical e-mail address: leo@sendanet.es

'leo' is the user name. @ means "at",

'sendanet' is the Internet service provider,

and 'es' means the server is based in Espafla

(Spain).


EPS format /i:pi:'es ,fb:mst/ n A file format that stands for 'Encapsulated PostScript'. It stores a file in a form that can be imported into a different file.

execute /'eksikjuit/ а То perform the operations specified by a routine or instruction. Execute a program: run a program in a computer.

expansion slots /ik'spa^nfan slots/ я The connectors that allow the user to install expansion boards to improve the computer's performance.

fault tolerance /fo:lt ,ш1эгэп5/ я А technique to protect data from hardware failures such as disk crashes, bad controllers or the destruction of important information on a file server. Fault-tolerant systems are essential for LAN installations.

fax /fasks/ n A facsimile machine that operates by scanning a document so that the image is sent to a receiving machine which produces a copy of the original.



field /fiild/ я A unit of information in a 'record'. In a database, information is entered via fields.

file /fail/ я 1 A collection of records (in a database). 2 A section of information stored on disk - a document or an application.

file compression /fail ksm.prejsn/ n The encoding of a file into a more compact format so that it occupies less disk space.

file server /'fail ,S3:va/ я The combination of a software controller and a

mass storage device which allows various users to share common files and applications (in a network).



firmware /'faimwes/ n Permanent software instructions contained in the ROM.

floppy disk /.flopl 'disk/ n A disk made of a flexible plastic material upon which data is stored on magnetic tracks.

flowchart /'fbutjurt/ л A diagram or symbolic representation which shows the logical steps of a computer program.

flush /fbvf/ n A line of type is said to be 'flush' when there is no space between it and a reference line. For example, text that is 'flush left' is aligned with the left margin of a page.

folder /'faulda/ n A holder of documents, applications and other folders on the Macintosh desktop. Folders (similar to subdirectories in other systems) allow you to organize information in different levels.

font /font/ n The shape, style and size of a particular typeface, e.g. Times Bold at 10 pt; resident font /'rezidsnt ,fnnt/ n A font included in a laser printer's memory. (If a font is not resident the printer has to load it from the computer, which takes up RAM from the printer.)

font formats:

— PostScript Type 1 & 2, scalable font formats from Adobe Systems.

— Speedo, scalable font format from Bitstream.

— Truetype, scalable font format from Apple and Microsoft.



format /'foimaet/ 1 n The layout of a document, including page numbers, line spaces, margins, paragraph alignment, headers and footers, etc. 2 format a disk v To prepare a disk for use. When a disk is initialized, the operating system marks tracks and sectors on its surface.

fragmentation /.fraegmen'teijan/ n Disk performance can be affected by fragmentation. When the operating system cannot find enough contiguous space to store a complete file, the file is divided into several separated fragments. As disk fragmentation increases, disk efficiency starts decreasing.

function key /'fAijkJan ,ki:/ n A key on a computer keyboard which causes a specific operation to take place, other than the entry of a standard character. What function keys do depends on the program.

gateway /'geitwei/ n A device used to interconnect different types of networks.

gigabyte /'dsaigsbait/ л 1024 megabytes.

graphics tablet /'grarfiks ,tsblit/ л An input device which allows the user to specify a position on the screen by using a stylus. Tablets are more accurate than other devices.

graphical user interface (GUI) /.grsfiksl ju:zsr intgfeis/ л An operating environment based on graphics (windows, icons, pop-up menus), mouse and pointer, e.g. the Macintosh system, Microsoft Windows, IBM OS/2 Presentation Manager or OSF Motif.

graphics package /'grrfiks ,рагЫз/ л Software that allows the user to create and run graphics programs.

H

hacker /'hcek9(r)/ n Someone who invades a network's privacy.



hard disk /,ha:d 'disk/ n A disk made from a solid magnetic material used as a storage device. There are different versions: fixed (internal, external), removable, etc. Compare with optical disks.

hardware /'hcndwes/ л The physical units which make up a computer system. See software.

hexadecimal system /.heksa'desimal ,SISt9in/ л The notation of numbers to the base of 16. The ten decimal digits 0 to 9 are used, and in addition six more digits — A, B,C,D,E and F-to represent lOto 15.

high-level language /,hai ,levsl

л A language in which each statement represents several machine code instructions, e.g. FORTRAN, COBOL, LISP, etc.



hyphenation /.haifa'neijsn/ n The division of words into syllables by a short dash'-' or hyphen. To produce lines of equal length, word processors hyphenate words instead of stretching word spaces too much.

icon /'aikon/ л Л small picture representing

an object, process or function. inch /mtf/ я The equivalent of 2.54 cm, or

72.27 points. indentation /.mden'teijan/ л This moves

the edge of the text away from the margins

towards the centre of the page. INITs /'mils/ л System utilities activated

when the computer is turned on. ink-jet printer /irjk dset ,рпп1э(г)/ л А

printer that generates an image by

spraying tiny droplets of ink at the paper.

By heating the ink within the print head,

individual drops are expelled to make a

matrix of dots on the paper.

input /'input/ 1 л The process of transferring information into the memory from some peripheral unit. 2 v To transfer data, or program instructions, into the computer.

input devices /input diyaisiz/ л Units of hardware which allow the user to enter information into the computer, e.g. the keyboard, mouse, trackball, lightpen, graphics tablet, voice recognition devices.

integrated package /.mtsgreitid 'peekidj/ я Software which includes a family of applications - typically spreadsheet, word processor, database, graphics and communications modules. The modules are linked by a common user interface.

interface /'mtafeis/ л Channels and control circuits which provide a connection between the CPU and the peripherals. See also user interface.

internal memory /т'1з:пэ1 ,тетэп/ и Sec main memory.

Internet /'mtgnet/ и A global network of computer networks which facilitates data communication services such as e-mail, file transfer, information retrieval and newsgroups.

interpreter /т'1з:рШэ/ л A programming environment that executes statements directly, avoiding the need for compilation.

Java /'d3Q:V3/ л The cross-platform programming language from Sun Microsystems for building Internet applications.

joystick /'djoistik/ л An input device with a vertical lever used in computer games to move the cursor around the screen.

justification /.djAStifi'keiJan/ n The process by which the space between the words and letters in a line of type is evenly divided to produce a line that is flush with both left and right margin.

К

kerning /'kainirj/ л The process of adjusting the spaces between letters to achieve even, consistent letter spacing.



keyboard /'ki:bo:d/ л An input device with typewriter keys for letters, numbers and line controllers. It may also have function keys for special purposes.

kilobyte /'kilgubait/ и A unit for measuring the memory or disk space in thousands of bytes. Also called k = 21{l = 1024 bytes.

laptop /'Iseptop/ n A small type of portable

computer.



laser printer /leiza ,рпп1э(г)/ л A non­impact printer that takes in data from the computer and builds up an image of the page in its own internal memory. A laser beam traces the image's dot pattern onto a rotating photosensitive drum, placing a static charge on the exposed areas. As the drum rotates, the toner particles are attracted to the charged areas. Then an electrically-charged wire pulls the toner particles off the drum, and they fall onto the paper.

lightpen /laitpen/ n A highly sensitive photo-electric device which uses the CRT screen as the positioning reference. The user can pass the pen over the surface of the screen to detect, draw or modify images displayed on the screen.

load /laud/ v To read program instructions into the main memory.

Local Area Network (LAN) /,1эи1сэ1 ,еэпэ 'netwsik (1геп)/ л A network contained in a relatively small area.

low-level language /,1эи Деуэ! 'lasrjgwidj/ n A language in which each instruction has a corresponding machine code equivalent.

M

machine code /ma'Jim kaud/ n Binary code numbers, the only language that computers can understand directly.



macro /'maskreu/ n 1 An abbreviation for 'macro-instruction'. 2 A stored set of commands, control sequences or definitions that is substituted for the macro name when that name is invoked.

mail merging /'meil ,тз:ёз1П/ n The process of combining a database file with a word processor to personalize a standard letter.

mainframe /'memfreim/ n The largest and most powerful type of computers. Mainframes process enormous amounts of data and are used in large installations.

main memory /,mem 'тетэп/ я The section which holds the instructions and data currently being processed; also referred to as the 'immediate access store', 'primary memory' or 'internal memory'. Microcomputers make use of two types of internal memory: RAM and ROM.

megabit /'megabit/ n A million binary digits; used to refer to storage devices.

megabyte /'meggbait/ n 1024 kilobytes.

megahertz /'megahsits/ n A unit of a million cycles per second used to measure processor speed.

menu bar /'menjui ,bai/ я The area at the

top of the screen which allows access to the various menus.



microchip /'maikrau.tjip/ n See chip

microprocessor ^maikrau'preusesafr)/ n A chip, or integrated circuit, that processes the instructions provided by the software.

mnemonic /ni'monik/ n A label or abbreviation used to make words easier to remember.

modem /'maudem/ n A device attached to a computer and the telephone line allowing access to wide networks. Standard telephone lines carry analogue signals, so the digital signals used by computers must be converted into the correct form by means of a modem.

monitor /'топйэ(г)/ n A CRT device which displays the computer output. Monochrome monitors display one colour at a time, in contrast to colour monitors which can display many different colours at the same time.

mouse /maus/ n A small input device with a ball underneath that is rolled by the user to specify the position of the cursor or to make choices from the menu.

multimedia /mAlti'miidra/ я This refers

. . ub^wp . . . , , .

to the mtegrajjJDn ot existing technologies of audio, video, animation and telecommunications with computing. Multimedia applications are also known as hypermedia.

multitasking /.mAlti'tarskin/ n The execution of several tasks at the same time.

N

network /'netwaik/ n A system of computer devices (e.g. CPUs, printers) or 'nodes' interconnected so that information and resources can be shared by a large number of users.



newsgroups /'гушгдгшр/ л The public discussion areas which make up Usenet.

node /ti9ud/ л A point on a junction of communication lines in a network. In a communications network, various computer devices (nodes) are interconnected to permit information to be interchanged between those devices.

О

object language /'obdpkt ,lasrjgwid3/ я А language or set of instructions into which a source language is translated by a compiler.



object-oriented programming /'obdsikt pinentid ргэидггегшп/ я А programming technique that allows the creation of'objects' which can be reused, or used as the foundation of others. Used

to develop complex programs, especially GUI programs.



octal system /'oktgl ,sist3m/ n The notation of numbers using 8 as a base or radix.

operating system /'npareitir) .sistam/ я The programs and routines which allow a computer to operate; it usually consists of a group of programs which coordinate the software and hardware of a computer system.

optical character recognition /.nptiksl ,ka;nkt3 rekag.nijan/ я Technology that allows computers to recognize text input into a system with a scanner. After a page has been scanned, an OCR program identifies fonts, styles and graphic areas.

optical disk /pptrksl 'disk/ л A storage device in which data is recorded as microscopic 'pits' by a laser beam. The data is read by photoelectric sensors which do not make active contact with the storage medium.


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